Tag Archives: Believe

The Relationship Is Real

Hands

Image by Aurelijus Valeiša via Flickr

What does it look like to believe?

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This is one of those questions that people say not to talk about. Don’t discuss religion. You’ll get people all riled up. Just discuss the “easy” stuff of life. Make people laugh. Whatever you do, don’t discuss faith! Please don’t mention the name of Jesus Christ. That could put people right over the edge. They might even hate you. And you know what? That might be true…..but, I will not deny the name of Jesus. I cannot. Once He touches a life, one is never the same…and people notice.

Belief. Faith. Hope

What is it? Why have it? What is the point? Why does it matter? I’ve been asked those questions many times throughout my life….because most people are searching. Whether they fully admit it or not. They want a purpose. They want to know that there is something more than what they wake up to each day.

Because, let’s face it. Life can be, and usually is, hard. Even people that seem to “have it all”, wonder if “all” is ever enough?

I am a believer and follower of Jesus Christ. I’m not ashamed of it. I don’t deny it. I don’t follow Him because I’m “uneducated”, “weak”, or “as a crutch”. I don’t love Him because I’m forced to, or acknowledge Him because I have to.

My faith is important. My relationship with Christ, real.

I believe because…

While I was still living my own life, my own way, on my own terms…..God loved me. Even when I didn’t love Him back. I was a sinner….born into sin. Selfish, wanting my own way. Daily, struggling with my own thoughts and actions…sometimes out loud…and sometimes only to myself.

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” Romans 5:8 NIV

He loved me. I didn’t need to bring Him presents, He didn’t require money, I didn’t have to be perfect and have my life together before He accepted me. He loved me. Broken, me. Sinful, me. Lacking, me. Imperfect, me.

Sin was a horrible thing that kept me from God. I couldn’t save myself from it. It was a part of me. A thing that still darkens my heart….because I am not perfect. I needed a Savior. One who is perfect. One who understands the state I am in. One who could take my place before a Holy God.

Fallen, broken and  dying….I wanted more.

I needed more….more than I had, because what I had wasn’t what I needed.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 6:23 NIV

A gift.

For all eternity.

I surely wasn’t deserving of it. That is the thing…it was freely given. I just needed to say “Yes” to what He was offering.

That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord”, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” Romans 10: 9-10 NIV

Being a Christian doesn’t mean I am perfect….far from it! It doesn’t mean that life is always wonderful. I still have days where I hurt. Or am confused. Or battle within my own self.

The difference is that I acknowledged those things…..and I am forgiven.

Forgiven. That is no small word.

And for me, it has made all the difference.

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What does faith look like to you? What does it mean to believe?

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